More than three wise men and women will be braving the downtown Lanzo-mania to raise a mug of spiced cider at The Partridge Christmas Shop's 11th Annual Local Appreciation Sale, tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 4. Yes, picking your way around the excavations will avail you of a world of holiday cheer that strictly adheres to the belief that it's Christmas every day.
Marjorie Allen's shop has always been one of my favorite summer anomalies— a charmingly eccentric Key Westy nod to winter wonderlands and "hanging your stocking from a great big coconut tree." For the rest of us, the time has come to float in on Marjorie's year `round Yuletide.
For the avid collector, she's got the Heritage Village Collection of buildings and figurines. I especially liked the "Dickens Collection" East Indies Trading Co. with its evocation of spice islands and faraway papas adapting to "native" versions of mistletoe.
Of course there're also little kids rolling hoops, shelves full of puddings and pies and street jesters. In fact, there are whole cities to be collected and many of the pieces are being "retired" this year so serious collectors may want to stop by immediamente.
There are lovely traditional Fontatini creches, woodblock Sloppy's and Southernmost Points, ornaments of all descriptions, hand carved wooden soldiers from Germany, gorgeous Treetoppers in handmade robes, Snowbabies, the Magic of Denise Calla, Harley beanbag bears, and the elfaluscious M. J. smiling at the register.
Tomorrow's sale will provide a general discount on all ornaments (check out the jalapeno!) and up to 50 percent off on select items. I especially like the perfectly cobblestoned street and set of old fashioned lamp posts for $23! Maybe next time we should let the Christmas Store bid on our sewers! Ah, but no Scrooge-ing here. Instead, cheer! Hot cider, cookies, smiles and discounts. Saturday, from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. 120 Duval St. 294-6001.